A few weeks ago, I got an email from a company inviting me to try one of their ghost tours. Without knowing much, I impulsively said yes, which is pretty on brand for me.
I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. I mean, I do love a good murder mystery podcast or creepy story now and then, but actually visiting the spots that might be haunted? Not sure that’s my thing. But I said yes anyway.
If this is your first time here: Hi, I’ve lived in the Bay Area for over 10 years. I used to explore all the time, like every weekend was a new trail or cute town, but these days I run a small business full time, so local adventures have slowed down a bit. Still, I find myself in San Francisco pretty often for concerts, seasonal craft fairs, or just to eat my way through the city.
This time? I went for a ghost tour.
So... was it scary?
Honestly? Not really. I’m not saying it wasn’t spooky. The stories were definitely eerie, but nothing jump-scare level. What surprised me most was how the tour made me see the city differently. Even after all these years, there are still so many things I didn’t know about San Francisco’s past.
Did you know there’s a Tony Bennett statue in front of the Fairmont Hotel?
Or that there's a street named after him? Same.
Our guide, Kit, also brought us to this tucked-away spot with an amazing view of the city and the ocean. If nothing else, go for that view alone.
Who is this tour for?
Locals. Especially if you’ve lived here for a while but never really dug into the haunted (or just weird) history behind the places you walk past all the time. Also great for couples looking for a fun date night. There's a good mix of spooky vibes and cool historical facts, so it doesn’t feel gimmicky.
What about tourists?
Depends on what kind of trip you’re on. If you're here for 3 days and want to check off every landmark, this probably isn't the best fit. It doesn’t hit the big touristy spots like Lombard Street or Chinatown. But if you’ve already been to SF a few times and want something different? Yes. This is such a fun way to see a more unexpected side of the city.
A note on terrain...
San Francisco’s gonna San Francisco. Which means hills. Lots of them. If you're from here, you're used to it. But if you're not, just know what you’re signing up for. Bring comfy shoes. And always, always bring a jacket. SF wind does not care what month it is.
Want to go?
You can book a ghost tour through US Ghost Tour’s site (they have tours in cities all over the country), or check out the specific SF tour I did here.
And if you get Kit as your guide, lucky you.
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